title: Nasal potential difference: a clinical diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) demonstrate a markedly more negative potential difference (PD) across respiratory epithelia than normal or "diseased" controls. A technique is described for the measurement of nasal PD in both children and adults. 145 non-CF subjects showed a mean PD of -19.0 mV (range -2 to -36) in comparison to 60 patients with cystic fibrosis with mean of -46.0 mV (range -32 to -77). Amongst the latter group those with more severe disease had a more negative PD. Measurement of nasal PD is easily learnt and rapidly performed and may provide an additional means of diagnosis for CF.
authors.affiliation: Royal Brompton and National Heart Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Alton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Logan-Sinclair
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Geddes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013183:Sputum